Chapter 722 - 723: Distributing the Treasures

His gaze turned cold, then he laughed in pleasant surprise. "Haha, I didn’t expect my Profound Soldier to be so effective against these blood-black phantoms! Let me handle this."

With everyone watching, Ye Xuan shot forward, swinging the Sword of Judgment relentlessly.

CRACKLE!

Blue lightning surged!

A scene that stunned the crowd unfolded. Under the strikes of Ye Xuan’s Sword of Judgment, the blood-black phantoms that had left them helpless shattered into pieces, one after another, only to be swallowed by Erhei, Ye Xuan’s mount.

Everyone was dumbfounded. ’What’s going on? Aren’t these blood-black phantoms supposed to be immortal?’

Once shattered, they were supposed to reform quickly. But as everyone watched the black toad under Ye Xuan devour the blood-black phantoms one by one, they all vanished without a trace, like stones sinking into the sea.

’What in the world is happening?’

Diao Minghuang and the others watched with grave expressions, their gazes fixed on the scene. Their eyes darted between the black lightning sword in Ye Xuan’s hand and Erhei beneath him.

One thing was certain: the reason the blood-black phantoms couldn’t reform was either due to the black lightning sword or the black toad.

’If it’s because of that black lightning sword...’

Flashes of greed glinted deep in the eyes of many.

Seeing Ye Xuan relentlessly reaping the blood-black phantoms, Zhan Shang suddenly grew anxious.

’Damn it, how could I forget about this kid? The Spirit Demon Race’s Blood Demon Soldiers are powerful, but they’re completely countered by the Sword of Judgment.’

Zhan Shang couldn’t afford to hesitate. He rushed out, and his black Skull Staff instantly spewed streams of black smoke. The smoke swept out, immediately engulfing several blood-black phantoms.

"Xuan Ye, it’s too much for you alone. I’ll help you."

As he spoke, he struck out wantonly. The blood-black phantoms, once enveloped by the black mist, vanished in an instant, spirited away to some unknown location by Zhan Shang.

’So Zhan Shang really was just waiting for these blood-black phantoms to kill all the Human Race Martial Artists before collecting them.’

Ye Xuan’s heart turned cold.

Although he didn’t know what these blood-black phantoms were, he could tell from Zhan Shang’s expression that he definitely knew, and that he certainly had a way to deal with them.

But earlier, when the human Martial Artists were struggling to cope, he had remained hidden on the side, not making a move. His intentions couldn’t be simpler: he wanted the blood-black phantoms to devour all the qi and blood of the Human Race’s warriors so he could reap the benefits afterward.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, Ye Xuan discovered that his Sword of Judgment could restrain these blood-black phantoms, and that the slain phantoms were a great source of nourishment for Erhei. Otherwise, that guy really would have succeeded.

With both Ye Xuan and Zhan Shang in action, all the blood-black phantoms were cleared out in just a quarter of an hour. Not a single one was left.

Everyone stared blankly at the scene. A problem that even several Third Layer Martial Emperors had found incredibly difficult to handle had been solved by the two youngest members of the group. It was just...

For a moment, no one knew what to say.

"Hehe, Your Excellency’s black lightning sword seems quite extraordinary. I wonder what grade of Profound Soldier it is? Would you mind telling us about it?"

Jiang Chonghuang was a Swordsman himself and naturally had the greatest interest in prized blades. He asked with a smile, his eyes narrowed.

Ye Xuan remained expressionless as he sheathed the Sword of Judgment on his back. "It’s just a broken Profound Soldier," he said flatly. "Nothing worth mentioning."

"Oh? Nothing worth mentioning? This is the first time I’ve ever seen such a unique Profound Soldier. How can such a fine sword be dismissed as ’nothing worth mentioning’?"

"Haha, Jiang Chonghuang, since this young brother is unwilling to say, you should stop asking," Diao Minghuang sneered. He knew Jiang Chonghuang had definitely grown greedy for the sword.

At that moment, Xu Guanglin said calmly, "Everyone, the blood-black phantoms have been dealt with. I suggest we continue on our way and not waste any more time."

Xu Guanglin’s words immediately earned the approval of many Martial Artists, and the group soon set off again.

The earlier attack by the blood-black phantoms had reduced their party of nearly thirty people to only about twenty—a heavy loss indeed.

However, those who survived were all experts. Aside from the three Third Layer Martial Emperors, the rest were mostly Tier Eight Second Layer Martial Emperors. There were very few First Layer Martial Emperors left.

As for Tier Seven Martial Kings, only Ye Xuan remained, making him a true outlier.

The platform wasn’t large, and the group soon reached the end.

Ahead of them were ten high platforms, each shrouded in a hazy Array Restriction.

Two of the ten Restrictions had already been broken and were empty, but the remaining eight were perfectly intact. It was impossible to see what was inside them.

In front of the Restrictions lay several skeletons, which appeared to have been trying to break through them with all their might.

’There must be something good inside these Restrictions.’ The crowd exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up.

Among the skeletons were those of Nine Heavens Martial Emperors. A Restriction that even a Nine Heavens Martial Emperor would try to break must surely contain some heavenly treasure.

A Martial Emperor quickly spoke up, "Everyone, there’s definitely something good inside this Array Restriction. Let me have a try at breaking it."

As soon as he finished speaking, he moved to attack the Restriction.

"Everyone, stay where you are."

Just then, Diao Minghuang stepped forward and said coldly, "Everyone, there are eight Restrictions here. As you all know, there are likely treasures inside, but not just anyone is entitled to a share."

"Diao Minghuang, what do you mean by that? Are you planning to take all the treasures for yourself?"

At the thought of the potential treasures, one Martial Emperor could no longer remain calm and immediately shouted out.

"Insolent."

Diao Minghuang’s gaze turned icy. The battle saber at his waist was suddenly unsheathed. SWISH! A brilliant slash of light, like a comet streaking across the night sky, instantly illuminated the hall and slammed into the Martial Emperor’s chest with a BOOM.

PSCHT!

How could that Martial Emperor be a match for Diao Minghuang? He instantly spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward. A terrifying surge of energy entered his chest, instantly tearing him in two. He was dead beyond dead.

The remaining Martial Artists all watched in horror, their faces filled with pity. The Martial Emperor who had just died wasn’t weak by any means. To think he survived the blood-black phantoms only to die by Diao Minghuang’s blade... it was truly a pathetic end.

"Does anyone else have an opinion now?" Diao Minghuang said coldly.

The remaining Second Layer Martial Emperors were all silent as cicadas in winter, daring to feel anger but not to speak it.

Ye Xuan shook his head helplessly. ’That Martial Artist was way too hasty. In terms of cultivation, he was only average, yet he dared to be the one to stick his neck out. It would have been a surprise if he hadn’t been killed.’

’If you have an objection, you have to wait for a stronger person to voice it.’

Sure enough, Jiang Chonghuang spoke up with a smile, "Diao Minghuang, from the looks of it, you must already have a plan for distribution. I wonder, how do you propose we divide these eight Restrictions?"

Xu Guanglin stood to the side, saying nothing, his expression cold. But his very silence was a statement.

As for Zhan Shang, a wicked smile played on his lips as he lowered his head in thought, his intentions unclear.

Diao Minghuang glanced at the crowd and said flatly, "The treasures in these Restrictions will naturally go to the capable. We’ll distribute them based on strength."

As his voice fell, he walked directly to one of the Restrictions and said indifferently, "I’m not greedy. The contents of this Restriction will belong to me."

As a Third Layer Martial Emperor, no one would naturally have any objection to him claiming one Restriction Array for himself.

"In that case, I’ll take this Restriction Array," Jiang Chonghuang said, also stepping out from the crowd to claim one.

"Then this Restriction Array will belong to me."

Xu Guanglin also emerged from the group and stood before a Restriction Array. However, Xu Zhen and the others from the Xu family behind him did not follow, clearly having other ideas.

According to Diao Minghuang’s logic, one Third Layer Martial Emperor could occupy one Restriction Array, so he alone was more than enough.

As for Xu Zhen and the other two, as three Second Layer Martial Emperors, it wasn’t impossible for them to claim another Restriction.

After all, who knew what treasures lay in this mysterious ruin? If there was a chance to claim an extra one, no one would think it too many.

"In that case, the three of us will take one. No one should have any objections, right?"

With this in mind, Xu Zhen and the other two walked without hesitation to the Restriction next to Xu Guanglin’s.

Jiang Chonghuang and Diao Minghuang both raised an eyebrow, but they didn’t say anything.

There were just over twenty people present. Aside from the three Third Layer Martial Emperors, the rest were Second Layer and First Layer Martial Emperors. It was quite normal for three Second Layer Martial Emperors from the Xu family to claim one Restriction Array.

However, with the Xu family now occupying two of the eight Restriction Arrays, the other Martial Emperors immediately grew anxious.

"It shouldn’t be too much to ask for this Restriction Array to be mine, right?"

The Array Master Mu Jin didn’t dare delay and quickly stood before another Restriction. Given his status as an Eighth-Level Array Master, it was only natural for him to claim one.

Just like that, five of the eight Restriction Arrays were claimed, leaving only three.

The hearts of the dozen or so remaining Second Layer Martial Emperors immediately tensed. If they wanted to claim one, they would have to choose from the three remaining Restriction Arrays.

However, Zhan Shang, who stood to the side, had yet to make a move. With the power he had shown earlier, it would be a simple matter for him to occupy a Restriction Array.

Sure enough, after seeing how the others had divided them up, Zhan Shang silently went and stood before a Restriction Array. No one dared to object.

Only two were left.

Jiang Chonghuang and Diao Minghuang both started signaling to their subordinates with their eyes.

"I’ll take this Array." Just then, a cool voice suddenly rang out. Ye Xuan had stepped forward and stood directly before a Restriction Array.